How to world-build?

Hey!

When it comes to writing - especially Fantasy or Science Fiction - you are required to set some ground rules. These are created when world-building. This is the art of building a world, either from scratch or expanding on pre-existing ideas. You can create worlds for many different reasons, such as for an RPG, or in this case writing.

🗺️How I start world-building

For me, I like to do this before I start writing my first draft. I set up a document, usually as part of my main outline, and plan out the setting. This involves breaking it down into different categories. Whilst I don't plan all of them, here are a few examples of the ones I consider.

Natural setting:
- Flora + Fauna.
- Geography.
- Weather.
- Cosmology.
- Geology.
- Sciences.

Cultural setting:
- Curses.
- Economy.
- Religion.
- Laws.
- Politics and government.
- Wonders/Landmarks.
- Languages.
- Folklore.
- History.
- Education.
- Customs and philosophy.
- Food lore.
- Music.
- Caste system.
- Weapons/Tech.
- Courtship.
- Prejudices.
- Laws of War.
- Architecture.

However, as much as I have listed here, it isn't a comprehensive list. Not only that, but when you start world-building you don't have to consider all of these. Just choose a few and put a unique spin on them. Make them bizarre if you have to make your world stand out among others.

👍Better ways?

As I said, my method is not perfect, and neither is it the definitive way. I would love to hear about other world-building processes that you have come across or used yourself.

By making worlds for your writing, you help make them unique - this is part of what draws a reader to your novel. The world can be a huge selling point, especially if the changes you make are interesting enough. So putting the time into designing yours can be extremely beneficial.

That's all from me today,
Fin :)